Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hollywood Writers Call Strike

'Feels like Armegeddon,' says one industry insider

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 2, 2007 2:38 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Setting the stage for the first walkout in nearly 20 years, Hollywood writers voted yesterday to go on strike, reports Associated Press. The union's president announced the decision in a closed-door meeting yesterday, drawing raucous cheers from the assembly. "There was a unified feeling. I don't think anyone wants the strike, but people are behind the negotiation committee," said one writer.

Members will be emailed today telling them when the walkout will begin after the vote is ratified by the board of the 12,000-member union. There's still a chance that a contract, hung up on writers' demands for bigger royalties, could be hammered out over the next few days. One Hollywood insider said the situation "feels like Armegeddon," but an industry representative said production companies "are prepared to close this contract this weekend."

Fans of NBC's The Tonight Show wait to get inside the studio Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, in Burbank, Calif. Late-night shows could be the first victims of a Hollywood writers strike, forced into reruns by a lack of fresh skits and monologues. (AP Photo/Ric Francis)
Fans of NBC's The Tonight Show wait to get inside the studio Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, in Burbank, Calif. Late-night shows could be the first victims of a Hollywood writers strike, forced into reruns...   (Associated Press)
Writers Guild of America members Al Higgins, left and Jill Soloway hug after a WGA meeting at the the Los Angeles, Convention Center on contract negotiations, Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007. Television and movie screen writers said Thursday they would go on strike for the first time in nearly 20 years...
Writers Guild of America members Al Higgins, left and Jill Soloway hug after a WGA meeting at the the Los Angeles, Convention Center on contract negotiations, Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007. Television and movie...   (Associated Press)
Writers Guild of America members read a sign as they exit their WGA meeting at the the Los Angeles, Convention Center after discussing contract negotiations, Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007. Television and movie screen writers said Thursday they would go on strike for the first time in nearly 20 years in...
Writers Guild of America members read a sign as they exit their WGA meeting at the the Los Angeles, Convention Center after discussing contract negotiations, Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007. Television and movie...   (Associated Press)
Writers from the Writers Guild of America arrive during a WGA meeting at the the Los Angeles, Convention Center to discuss contract negotiations, Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)
Writers from the Writers Guild of America arrive during a WGA meeting at the the Los Angeles, Convention Center to discuss contract negotiations, Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)   (Associated Press)
Fans of NBC's The Tonight Show lineup outside the studio Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, in Burbank, Calif. Late-night shows could be the first victims of a Hollywood writers strike, forced into reruns by a lack of fresh skits and monologues. (AP Photo/Ric Francis)
Fans of NBC's The Tonight Show lineup outside the studio Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, in Burbank, Calif. Late-night shows could be the first victims of a Hollywood writers strike, forced into reruns by a...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

What's the writers' gripe and why has it gotten to the strike stage?
Independent (UK)

Producers' alliance press releases
Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers

Writers Guild of America
Writers Guild of America

 
Hollywood • strike • contract negotiations • producers • Writers Guild of America • Hollywood writers' strike

More Newser Stories

Worries Rising Over Looming Actors' Strike

Striking Writers to Resume Talks

Hey Brother, Can You Spare a Screenplay?

Leno Scabbed on Own Show During Writers Strike: Union

Writers Endorse 3-Year Deal
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne